Panthers sign D Gudbranson to 2-year deal

Florida Panthers Executive Vice President and General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that the club has agreed to terms on a two-year contract with D Erik Gudbranson.

“Erik is an important part of our young core of talented players who we are pleased to have signed,” said Tallon. “He is a big, strong and physical defenseman who is one of the building blocks for our team. We look forward to his continued development and his contributions to the South Florida community.”

Gudbranson, 22, was drafted by Florida with their first choice (third overall) in the 2010 NHL Draft. For his career in the National Hockey League, he has played in 169 games with the Panthers (2011-2014), registering 21 points (5-16-21) and 239 penalty minutes. The 6-foot-5, 216-pound defenseman played in 65 games with the Panthers during the 2013-2014 season, recording three goals with six assists and 114 penalty minutes.

The Ottawa, Ontario native, most recently played for Team Canada at the 2014 World Championship. He also represented Team Canada at the 2011 World Junior Championship, where he won a silver medal.

In recognition of his community outreach efforts, Gudbranson was named the team’s 2013-2014 Community Ambassador of the Year, as well as the club’s nominee for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy (awarded to the player in the NHL who best exemplifies leadership qualities both on- and off- the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community).

In conjunction with the Florida Panthers Foundation, Gudbranson purchased a suite at BB&T Center during the 2013-2014 season to host children and their families who were impacted by pediatric cancer. Gudbranson was also involved with several of the team’s community initiatives this season, including the team’s Movember campaign and holiday hospital visits.